The application deadlines for various Health Professions programs are rapidly approaching. Although some of the deadlines will not be until closer to the end of the semester, the time to start thinking about the process is now, said Academic Advising Director Tamara Madden.

Destination Application is the perfect opportunity for students to make sure their applications are up to par, Madden said. The Health Professions coordinator for advising, Claire Echols, and a representative from the admissions office inform students and answer questions about the Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Occupational Therapy Assistant applications during the workshops.

Sessions for Physical Therapist Assistant will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2 in room HP225, 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5 in room HP225, 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10 in room CU1, 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12 in room CU3 and at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19 in room HP225.

Sessions for Nursing will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25 in room HP225, 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday March 10 in room HP225, 5:30 p.m. on Thursday March 12 in room CU1 and at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 in room CU2.

Sessions for Occupational Therapy Assistant will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 in room HP225, 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8 in room HP225, 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14 in room CU1, 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 30 in room CU1 and 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 in room HP225.

“Admissions talks about the competitiveness of the application of the cohort. They talk about things they notice that are common mistakes people make that throw them out of the competition. They share ‘last time we did this application process, the average GPA was.’ “They’ll share that kind of information, so when students are preparing to put that application together, they’ve got some experts here at Destination Application to ask the questions and get that clarification so they can think ahead and be prepared and turn in that application they know is going to be complete and be competitive,” Madden said.

Students applying to a Health Professions program are encouraged to meet with an academic adviser and attend the Destination Application sessions. Madden said too much information is not something students should worry about.

“I think whenever you’re applying for a competitive program, you can’t have too many support systems in place. If you want to be successful, take advantage of as many resources that you have as possible, she said.

“…Come and see an academic adviser if you want that double check and we’re happy to even go through, make sure the student has all the materials for that application package they’re going to turn in.”

Madden said students applying should start working on their application one or two months in advance so they don’t feel rushed.

The deadlines in Health Professions are strict, and if  student misses it by even a minute, their application will not be accepted, she said.

Madden welcomes students to come meet with an adviser and get the process of applying started.

“The time is now. That’s why we had some in Jan. and we have a lot in Feb. The time is now to get that information. I know everybody is trying to keep up with classes, but the sooner you get that information, the better equipped and prepared you’re going to be.”

Applications for all programs can be found at www.occc.edu/Admissions/Health.html.

For more information, visit www.occc.edu/health/pdf/Destination%20Application.pdf or call 405-682-7535.